How We Work
The idea is simple, homeless kids are in special circumstances and need a special response team that can meet their needs without much bureaucracy. The brilliant structure devised by AISD, Project Help and our team is a public private partnership that can create, implement and revise bespoke programs with 100% philanthropic funding and zero cost institutional oversight.
Kids get customized institutional quality solutions while donors achieve incredible efficiency.
CapCityKids works with school liaisons and Project Help to design, implement and incubate programs. Once matured we find a long term sponsor to fund the program while we act as a backstop and coordinator to ensure funding and efficiency.
We are extremely proud of our partnership with our sponsors, school liaisons, the Austin Independent School District and The University of Texas at Austin, and are continually amazed that a few concerned citizens can leverage these relationships to effect change and improve the lives of some of the most deserving members of the community, our homeless and at-risk students.
Keys to CCK's Success
A commitment to partnering with homeless school liaisons and leaning on their expertise
A willingness to think outside the box, on all sides
An ability to work within the logistics of local, state and federal resources
Trust and an ability to listen to the needs and constraints of all parties
The key to the success of our programs is establishing a partnership between CapCityKids and the homeless school liaisons – a federally mandated position in every school district. Liaisons are responsible for ensuring that their district identifies and supports students experiencing homelessness.
Responsibilities of Homeless School Liaisons
Identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness
Enrolling them in school, or ensuring that they have access to early childhood and preschool programs
Referring youth and their families to available health, housing and other services
Engaging parents in their child’s education
Assisting with transportation to and from school
By working closely with the homeless school liaisons in Austin and our other local markets, we have been able to develop programs that benefit homeless students and other at-risk students and their families, as well as teachers and social workers.